- Psychedelics would return to the Weld County Library, Colorado in May 1987
- It was only returned to the library earlier this month, 13,437 days late
Librarians were shocked when a book on psychedelics was returned almost 37 years late with a note saying: “Sorry so late, it’s been a strangely long journey.”
Psychedelics by Bernard Aaronson and Humphry Osmond would be returned to the Weld County Library in Greeley, Colorado on May 30, 1987.
But the book – which details first-hand psychedelic experiences – was only returned earlier this month – 13,437 days or 36 years, nine months and 13 days late.
High Plains Library District posted on Facebook on March 18: ‘Guns N’ Roses was still a few months away from releasing Appetite for Destruction on the day this book was supposed to be released!
‘Lionel Messi was born two months later!
Psychedelics by Bernard Aaronson and Humphry Osmond would return to the Weld County Library in Greeley, Colorado on May 30, 1987
The book – which details first-hand psychedelic experiences – was only returned earlier this month – 13,437 days or 36 years, nine months and 13 days late
‘But hey, we get it. Sometimes you’re busy. For almost 37 years. It happens.
“Now… far be it from us to suggest that a book about psychedelics could have affected anyone’s perception of time.
“But according to a note in the book, ‘It’s been a long, strange journey,’ it seems the person bringing it back is aware of the humor here.”
Kaylee Miller, a library materials supervisor at the High Plains Library District in Weld County, saw psychedelics during a book drop-off at the Riverside Library and Cultural Center in Evans.
She immediately suspected the book was overdue because it was stamped as belonging to the Weld County Library — indicating it had been removed before the library district was formed in 2008.
Kaylee Miller, library materials supervisor at the High Plains Library District in Weld County, saw psychedelics during a book drop-off at the Riverside Library and Cultural Center in Evans
Ms. Miller said the district used to charge 10 cents a day for late returns, so Psychedelics would have been fined $1,300 by now.
The overdue copy will not return to the library’s shelves, but will be placed in an archive.
Psychedelics was published in 1970 and includes discussions of scientific theories and the sociology of drugs.
Library staff joked on Facebook that if anyone could beat the current record, they would offer a “total amnesty for the safe return of your belongings.”
They added, “While I’m not encouraging you to watch anything TODAY and come back late enough to carry the record, which would be… January 1, 2061.
‘We are closed on New Year’s Day. Probably. Maybe. Who knows in 2061?’